Protective plug for connector

Abstract

A protective plug is provided for a connector that includes a shielding cage with an insertion space therein and a front end opening communicating with the insertion space, the front end opening has a plurality of leaf springs, each leaf spring has an elastic arm extending rearwardly and inwardly, the elastic arm has a contact portion. The protective plug includes a cover body to cover the front end opening and an insertion body, the insertion body has at least one first contact surface facing the corresponding leaf spring, the first contact surface has a leaf spring acting surface portion extending forwardly and inwardly, after the protective plug is inserted to the insertion space of the shielding cage, the contact portion of the leaf spring contacts the leaf spring acting surface portion and applies a component force toward the rear to the leaf spring acting surface portion.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A protective plug for a connector comprising a shielding cage, the shielding cage having an insertion space therein and a front end opening in communication with the insertion space, the front end opening being provided with a plurality of leaf springs, each leaf spring having an elastic arm extending rearwardly and inwardly, the elastic arm having a contact portion, the protective plug comprising:
 a cover body to cover the front end opening; and 
 an insertion body that extends rearwardly from the cover body for insertion into the insertion space, the insertion body having at least one first contact surface facing the corresponding leaf spring, the first contact surface having a leaf spring acting surface portion extending forwardly and inwardly, 
 when the protective plug is inserted to the insertion space of the shielding cage, the contact portion of the leaf spring contacts the leaf spring acting surface portion and applies a component force toward the rear to the leaf spring acting surface portion, 
 wherein the first contact surface further has a peak portion. the leaf spring acting surface portion is an oblique surface obliquely extending forwardly and inwardly from the peak portion, after the protective plug is completely inserted to the insertion space of the shielding cage, the contact portion of the leaf spring stops at a contact position on the leaf spring acting surface portion, and there is a predetermined distance between the contact position and the peak portion. 
 
     
     
       2. The protective plug of  claim 1 , wherein the protective plug further comprises a handle portion extending forwardly from the cover body. 
     
     
       3. The protective plug of  claim 1 , wherein the first contact surface further has a guiding oblique surface portion extending rearwardly and inwardly from the peak portion. 
     
     
       4. The protective plug of  claim 3 , wherein the insertion body has the two first contact surfaces positioned at two opposite surfaces. 
     
     
       5. The protective plug of  claim 4 , wherein the front end opening of the shielding cage is rectangular, and the leaf springs are provided at four peripheral edges of the front end opening, the insertion body of the protective plug is a rectangular column having a hollow portion therein, the insertion body further has second contact surfaces positioned on the other two opposite surfaces and facing the corresponding leaf springs. 
     
     
       6. The protective plug of  claim 5 , wherein the second contact surface has an extending surface portion extending rearwardly from the cover body and a guiding oblique surface portion extending rearwardly and inwardly from the extending surface portion. 
     
     
       7. The protective plug of  claim 5 , wherein a material of the protective plug is a polymer, and a conductive layer is provided on the surfaces of the protective plug for contacting the plurality of leaf springs. 
     
     
       8. The protective plug of  claim 5 , wherein an alignment block and an alignment recessed groove engaged with each other are respectively provided on the front end opening of the shielding cage and the insertion body of the protective plug. 
     
     
       9. The protective plug of  claim 8 , wherein the alignment recessed groove has an enlarged entrance end into which the alignment block enters.